8th EU-South Africa Summit : Strengthening a strategic partnership in the face of global challenges

On March 13, 2025, South Africa will host the 8th summit between the European Union (EU) and South Africa. This event takes place against the backdrop of significant geopolitical changes and profound economic shifts. As the only African nation with a strategic partnership with the EU since 2007, South Africa plays a key role in relations between the continent and Europe. Its current presidency of the G20 further strengthens its influence on the international stage, as the country seeks to amplify Africa’s voice in global governance.

This summit is an opportunity to intensify the EU’s partnership with South Africa, which is a strategic partner for the EU in a rapidly changing world

 The EU recognizes South Africa as a key partner in addressing these challenges. According to the EU Council, « This summit is an opportunity to intensify the EU’s partnership with South Africa, which is a strategic partner for the EU in a rapidly changing world. »

I have expressed the EU’s full support for South Africa’s G20 presidency and its ambition to strengthen multilateral cooperation

The summit will bring together high-level leaders from both sides. On the European side, European Council President António Costa will represent the EU. He expressed his commitment to this partnership by stating: « I have expressed the EU’s full support for South Africa’s G20 presidency and its ambition to strengthen multilateral cooperation. »
 South Africa will be represented by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who emphasized the importance of this collaboration by stating that South Africa and the EU share common values of democracy, human rights, dignity, and equality.

The EU seeks to redefine its relations with its African partners by focusing on co-development projects

 This summit is particularly important as several European countries have reduced their development aid, undermining some cooperation initiatives. In the United States, the elimination of USAID further weakens the mechanisms supporting emerging economies. In this context, the EU seeks to redefine its relations with its African partners by focusing on co-development projects rather than traditional aid. The Global Gateway program, which aims to mobilize up to 150 billion euros for African infrastructure, illustrates this approach, although its concrete impact on the ground remains to be proven.

In 2024, economic relations between the European Union (EU) and Africa were marked by significant trade exchanges and notable financial commitments in strategic sectors. Trade in goods and services between the EU and African countries reached 504.3 billion euros in 2022. In 2024, the EU allocated an additional 122 million euros in humanitarian aid for the Horn of Africa, a region affected by conflicts and climate disasters. The EU launched 14 new projects aimed at promoting renewable energy in Africa, representing an investment potential of up to 4 billion euros.

These figures illustrate the growing importance of economic relations between the EU and Africa, with substantial trade exchanges and strategic investments in key sectors for the continent’s sustainable development. However, the EU has already been overtaken by others on the continent.

Although the European Union remains a major trading partner, its relative share in trade with Africa has decreased, reflecting a loss of influence in the face of the rise of other actors such as China

For more than fifteen years, China has established itself as Africa’s main trading partner, surpassing the EU in several areas. In 2023, trade between China and Africa reached a record level of 282.1 billion dollars, marking a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year. This growth continued in 2024, with trade volume reaching 166.6 billion dollars in the first seven months of the year, an increase of 5.5% compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, China became the top exporter to 28 African countries in 2024, compared to 14 in 2012, illustrating its growing influence on the continent.

In comparison, although the European Union remains a major trading partner, its relative share in trade with Africa has decreased, reflecting a loss of influence in the face of the rise of other actors such as China.

Laying the foundations for a forward-looking cooperation

 A summit that must place Africa at the heart of European priorities. Discussions will focus on several common priorities. Economically, the EU remains one of South Africa’s main trading partners, and negotiations on strengthening trade and investment will be at the heart of the discussions. Sustainable development will also be central, as South Africa seeks to accelerate its energy transition. The commitments made under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), supported by the EU, will be evaluated to ensure an effective transition to renewable energy.

Cooperation on security will also be a priority, with a particular focus on South Africa’s role in mediating African conflicts. Finally, public health will remain an essential issue, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed the weaknesses of health systems and the importance of local vaccine production. In a world where power dynamics are rapidly evolving, South Africa and the EU will seek to lay the foundations for future-oriented cooperation through concrete projects and more inclusive global governance.